Two Die in Fiery Hillsborough Crash

The driver of the other car is in serious condition, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY – Two people died early this morning (Oct. 22) in a fiery, two-car crash on the Veterans Expressway in Hillsborough County, the Florida Highway Patrol said.

Jesus Emanuel Lanzo, 33, and his passenger, Carlos Angler Quinones Perez, 33, both died at the scene of the crash. Both men were from Tampa.

The crash happened about 2:20 a.m. on the Veterans Expressway north of State Road 60. Anwar Daoud Askar, 54, of Tampa, was driving a 2014 Mercedes north at a high rate of speed, troopers said. Askar overtook and then collided with the rear end of a 2001 Pontiac. The impact sent the Pontiac to the outside shoulder where it collided with a concrete traffic barrier.

The Pontiac came to rest in the exit ramp to Independence Parkway and became fully engulfed in fire, troopers said. Both occupants died in the crash.

After the crash, the Mercedes traveled to the inside shoulder where it hit a concrete traffic barrier, troopers said. Askar was taken to Tampa General Hospital with serious injuries. He was not wearing a seat belt.

Troopers said alcohol was a factor in the crash. Askar has been charged with two counts of DUI manslaughter and vehicular homicide, they said.